Here are four things we learned Friday at Halas Hall as the Bears continue preparing for Monday night's game against the Vikings:

Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains is more concerned with the players around quarterback Jay Cutler than Cutler's return.

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Loggains was only seven regular-season quarters into his role as coordinator and play-caller when Cutler embarked on a five-game absence with a sprained right thumb.

Now, Cutler returns to an offense that ranks last in the NFL in scoring and is expected to be without at least one of its Pro Bowl guards and its slot receiver.

"We have to make sure…we put Jay in a good position," Loggains said. "We have to make sure that we protect him and allow him to do some of the things that he does well. He has a skill set that allows him to do pretty much whatever we need to do. If it's move the pocket, if it's drop back, throw the quick game, getting empty (backfield), whatever that is."

The Vikings are possibly the toughest test Cutler could face in his return. They lead the NFL in fewest points and yards allowed.

Tribune writers Rich Campbell and Brad Biggs preview Jay Cutler's return in the Bears' Week 8 game against the Vikings.

Josh Sitton returned to the field Friday.

The Pro Bowl left guard at least participated in practice to a limited extent, his first on-field activity since spraining his right ankle Oct. 9. His status for Monday's game remains in doubt, though.

When Sitton missed his much-anticipated return to Green Bay on Oct. 20, it ended his streak of 81 consecutive games played.

Meanwhile, right guard Kyle Long (triceps/left shoulder) remained out, as did slot receiver Eddie Royal (toe) and inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (illness).

The Cubs' success is being noticed at Halas Hall just as it is everywhere around the Chicago area. Coaches and players have fielded questions about it during baseball's postseason, and it was mentioned to Loggains that the World Series participating cities, Chicago and Cleveland, happen to be the last two in which he has worked.

Loggains said he's rooting for the Cubs, having frequently watched them on WGN-TV while growing up in Texas.

When his wife gave birth to their son six months ago, they named him after her brother's favorite baseball player. Coincidentally, Ryne was born on the 23rd, a date that coincides with the Hall-of-Fame second baseman's jersey number.

Bradford could empathize with Schwarber, having torn the ACL in his left knee in 2013 and again in 2014.

"It's unbelievable and very impressive," Bradford said of the comeback. "I know it's not easy to stay mentally involved, especially when you can feel like you're an outsider going through that alone. For him to do what he has done, I think that's incredible."